Are you ready to make a splash for the summer? It’s time to be poolside any chance we get!
While public pools may not be your style, there are several hotels and rooftop pools around New York City that you can visit with a day pass or membership that might be worth getting for the summer.
So what are you waiting for! Here are some of our low-key favorite hotel and rooftop pools in NYC to check out:
1. Jimmy, SoHo
On the weekends, The James Hotel opens their rooftop pool to all for free! With unobstructed views of the city, it’s the go-to spot to grab a drink and lounge by the pool. Note: The pool is reserved exclusively for hotel guests Monday – Friday until 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday until 2 p.m. The outdoor pool deck is open to JIMMY patrons after 5 p.m. Monday – Friday and Saturday and Sunday after 3 p.m. Book your reservation here.
Where: 15 Thompson St
2. The Beach at Dream Downtown, Chelsea
Spanning 5,000 square feet, this New York favorite boasts a glass-bottom pool, pool deck, sand beach, private cabanas, and over 30 chaise lounges with a full-service bar and a seasonal food menu. For $80 Weds-Thurs or $100 Fri-Sat, you can spend your entire day cooling down in the lovely pool or laying around under the sun. You can also rent a cabana if you a group of 10 or more! This is one of our favorite rooftop pools in NYC if you’re looking for a full-day getaway. It opens for the 2023 season on May 19. Find out more here.
Where: 355 W 16th Street
3. Coda Williamsburg Hotel, Brooklyn
The brand new Coda Beach Club now has NYC’s largest heated and adults-only pool in a hotel! If you have a few days off, you can pay $105 per person (day pass) to enjoy the pool at the hotel located in the trendy Williamsburg neighborhood. The Bali meets Malibu meets south of France aesthetic vibe comes to life with their cabanas and daybeds that you cant rent starting at $95 per person. Plus, they have a menu serving inventive cocktails and snacks! Learn more here.
Where: 160 N 12th Street
4. The Summer Club, LIC
Looking for the true rooftop pool party? The Summer Club located in Long Island City is the brand new pool club that will have you feeling like you’re in Miami or Las Vegas. Between the pool, lounge chairs, full bars, and private cabanas, there is something for everyone at one of the most energetic rooftop pools in NYC. Featuring world renowned DJs spinning tracks and an outdoor food pavilion housing specialty cocktail and grub, this spot is a no-brainer if you’re looking to dance and swim all day and night. In terms of price, a weekly day pass will cost you $60, while a weekend pass will be slightly higher at $75.
The pool is open daily from 12-7 p.m. Find more info. & make reservations on their website here!
Where: 8-08 Queens Plaza South, Queens
5. Somewhere Nowhere, Chelsea
One of the newest rooftop pools in NYC is a fairytale two-level lounge & pool located atop the Renaissance NY Chelsea Hotel. It’s magical secret garden theme stretches across 5,516-square-feet and will transport you to a wonderland away from the city.
According to their website: Somewhere Nowhere NYC’s lounge and rooftop pool will be open to hotel guests and the public every day and night of the week via reservations (walk-ins may be accepted from time to time). Find those here.
Where: 112 W 25th St, 38th & 39th floors
6. Manhattan Park Pool Club, Roosevelt Island
Every year this waterfront pool on Roosevelt Island gets a vibrant painted makeover — this year the design is by Brooklyn-based artist Melissa Dadourian who works in textile media, painting and sculpture. If you’re not a resident of Roosevelt Island, you can still stop by the pool throughout the summer for $50 on weekdays and $65 on the weekend. Roosevelt Island residents can access the pool for $30 during weekdays and $40 on weekends. Read more here.
Where: 36 River Road, Roosevelt Island
7. TWA Pool, JFK Airport
Watch planes leave the runway from this rooftop infinity pool-cuzzi at the charming TWA Hotel at JFK Airport (yes, you read that right!). This stunning hotel has been renovated to relive all its stupendous ’60s charm, also showcasing a giant Twister room and roller rink outside a 1950s vintage Lockheed Constellation Connie airplane that has been turned into a cocktail lounge.
You will need to be a hotel guest to enjoy the pool, but it is the perfect spot for a NYC staycation! More details can be found here.
Where: John F. Kennedy International Airport, JFK Access Road, One Idlewild Drive
8. The Sentry NYC, Murray Hill
Though a membership is required for this new exclusive social club, it may be worth it for pool access alone! The Sentry sits atop the iconic American Copper Buildings, 42 stories high. Overlooking the East River on one side and the Empire State Building on the other, the rooftop pool also offers yoga classes, pool meditations, guided astronomy sessions through American Copper Buildings’ fitness partner Elite and exclusive access to The Sentry Flatiron during non-public hours. Apply for membership here!
Where: The American Copper Buildings, 111 West 57th St.
9. QC NY Spa Pool, Governors Island
Swap those pool party vibes for a more relaxing pool day at this new spa coming to Governors Island! After five years of planning and construction, NYC’s favorite island paradise is welcoming a luxurious, new wellness spa (QC NY) to its property. Simply hop on the short ferry ride to the island and transcend into an ultimate state of relaxation. The spa includes features like saunas, steam rooms, vichy showers, and of course, outdoor thermal pools that boast unmatched views of Manhattan. Find more here.
Where: 112 Andes Road, Governors Island, NY
10. Margaritaville Resort, Times Square
Believe it or not, but this tropical hotel is home to Times Square’s only outdoor pool! Located inside the Landshark Bar & Grill restaurant, this pool option is unique in that it sits right in Midtown with the most ideal views. Visitors can purchase day passes for $100, daybeds for $200 and cabanas for $500. What could be better than a margarita restaurant/pool combo? Learn about all their amenities here.
Where: 560 Seventh Avenue
11. The William Vale, Williamsburg
Grab skyline views from this Brooklyn pool that sits atop The William Vale in Williamsburg. Deemed as the “longest outdoor hotel in the pool city,” spots to swim are available for hotel guests as well as anyone else! Those staying at the hotel are welcome to reserve complimentary terrace chaise lounges. As for outside guests, you can purchase things such as day passes ($165), exclusive cabanas, poolside daybeds, and more (starting at $325). Oh, and stop at Westlight, their lovely rooftop bar during your time here too.
Where: 111 N 12th St, Brooklyn
12. The Rockaway Hotel, Rockaway
Just steps away from the beach is The Rockaway Hotel, which has a lovely outdoor pool and spa on their main floor. Offering upbeat music and a vibrant social scene, this spot is one of our favorite summer hangouts, especially when you rent one of their cabanas (starting 5/27/23). Of course the pool is free for hotel guests, but locals looking to make a splash can snag day passes as well! There’s also a sweaty sauna for you to unwind in as well.
Where: 108-10 Rockaway Beach Dr, Queens
13. The Williamsburg Hotel, Williamsburg
Starting this month, The Williamsburg Hotel’s pool will be back and ready to swim! Pool access is here prioritized for hotel guests, and requires a complementary time slot reservation ahead of time (3.5 hour session). However, hotel visitors are also able to take a dip if you buy one of their day passes, lounge chairs, or cabanas. Learn more here.
Where: 96 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn
14. 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, DUMBO
Lounge poolside with skyline views of the Brooklyn Bridge at the 1 Hotel! Their lengthy plunge pool is perfect for a quick dip, and they even have handcrafted cocktails and small bites available for purchase while you relax! Sadly, this pool is only accessible to hotel guests, alongside lounge chair rentals as well. This NYC hotel is definitely worth booking for a summer day.
Where: 60 Furman St, Brooklyn
15. The Pool Club at Virgin Hotels New York City, NoMad
Stop by Virgin Hotels New York City, where their 4th floor rooftop is the perfect place to battle the heat of the concrete jungle. You can enjoy boozy ice pops, craft cocktails, refreshing bites, and so much more, all with the perfect backdrop of the Empire State Building! The pool operates from 11 am – 6 pm and cabanas are also available to rent!
Where: 1227 Broadway
Also published on Medium.